(1981)
Dir - James Makichuk
Overall: MEH
The debut and only theatrically released full-length from Canadian writer/director Jim Makichuk, Ghostkeeper offers a unique twist on the slasher genre, at least on paper. Set at an empty, (or so they think), isolated, snow-bound location with a minimal cast stranded there, the fundamental premise was utilized either intentionally or not in the 2006 Norwegian film Cold Prey. The first act is the standard slow-boil which inevitably introduces the unnecessarily cryptic old person of the title who spouts vague warnings and is generally unpleasant. It continues on as a snore-fest though, giving way to wooden performances, boring characterizations, and the viewer just sitting around waiting for something to happen. Budgetary problems forced the second half of production to be rushed in fear of abandoning the entire project, so the lackluster ending in particular is understandable to a degree. Makichuk does emphasis an eerie atmosphere at times, which is helped by Paul Zaza's score and cinematographer John Holbrook who makes good use out of the darkly lit scenery at night. It is a shame it ends up being so predominantly unremarkable despite such efforts.
(1984)
Dir - David Blyth
Overall: MEH
An adequate though ultimately forgettable bio-zombie film from New Zealand-born writer/director David Blyth, Death Warmed Up, (Dr. Evil: Part II in the Philippines for some reason), might still be of interest to gore hounds at least. Two gooey, unflinching brain surgery scenes are present and characters are brutally stabbed, shot, and impaled in motorcycle accidents. It never goes the full splatter/exploitation route though and plays its dark, occasionally homoerotic undertones rather seriously. While the performances are uniformly decent and Blyth gets atmospheric use out some borderline cyber punk costume and set designs in the final act, the mostly schlock-free approach to such silly material is a bit off-putting. The menacing tone still cannot hide the low-budget, B-movie qualities or wildly uninteresting story which haphazardly goes apocalyptic in the end, offering up more head scratches from the audience than anything else. It is a messy ordeal in more ways than just the blood amount, but also an honorable effort for what it may have set out to achieve.
Dir - Jérôme Boivin
Overall: GOOD
Based on Ken Greenhall's novel Hell Hound and serving as the full-length debut from French filmmaker Jérôme Boivin, Baxter manages to be dark and moody while simultaneously veering mildly towards comedy. The premise itself is amusing where a Bull Terrier provides his own narration as he persists on finding the perfect human companion that mirrors his dispassionate mindset. Though the story goes to some shocking places, it always steps back from the edge and remains chilling instead of exploitative. Boivin creates a steady tone this way, keeping an emotional distance from the materiel just as the title K9 and his eventual, highly disturbed master, (a young boy with clear sociopathic tendencies and an unhealthy fixation on Hitler and Eva Braun) seem to possess. The narrative framework breaks things up into chapters yet regularly introduces characters before they become significant, giving it all a tight construction. While some moments may be psychologically uncomfortable to sit through, (particularly for parents and dog lovers), it is an interesting and uniquely made work that explores the budding, concerning behavior of youths while humorously making us wonder what our household pets might really be thinking.
No comments:
Post a Comment